I want to share a couple of important events coming up next week: Thursday July 28th: Flip the Vote will host Lawrence Goldstone (author and Constitutional Historian) and Angela Lang (BLOC: Black Leaders Organizing for Communities) to talk about the historical context of today’s Supreme Court and about how BLOC is working at the local, state, and federal level to build power and GOTV despite Wisconsin's latest act of voter suppression: declaring ballot drop boxes illegal. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/08/1100696685/wisconsin-supreme-court-ballot-drop-boxes-disability-assistance
Tuesday, July 26th, Flip the Vote is hosting an Open House Party. Consider attending this to learn how you can make the largest impact on the 2022 midterms, build more political power in critical districts in swing states and lay the groundwork for Democratic wins in 2024. Register for the Open House Party here: https://www.flipthevote.org/events
Only 15 weeks until the midterms. Please remember that while Biden won the popular vote by more than 7 million, he won the electoral college with just 43,809 votes distributed across three states: Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin. In these 3 states alone there are over 3 million likely Democratic non-voters who can help hold Congress in 2022 and ensure a successful and fair election in 2024. We must do all we can to support the grassroots organizations in critical swing states to register and activate their neighbors.
(1) Thanks for bringing this one into focus. I have been thinking about it a bit since last week when I learned from the League of Women Voters that their presiding officer Virginia Kase Solomon gave testimony at a Senate hearing last week before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (chaired by Amy Klobucher).
(2) It appears to me that all (and only) Democratic Senators have co-sponsored the Senate bill, and maybe that is true in the House as well (not as easy for me to tell at a glance). I noted that my Connecticut district 3 representative Rosa De Lauro, did not co-sponsor right away (Feb 25, 2021) but only did so fairly recently.
In any case, I suspect that there may be some posturing going on here in at least some cases. The Senators surely know that even if Manchin and Sinema actually vote in favor of the bill, there is no path to passage with all Republicans presumably opposing. So, call me jaded, but I suspect that this provides sufficient cover to make co-sponsorship a painless way to look good without putting the gravy train at risk.
(3) My draft template for Democratic senators includes the following:
I understand that the Senate Rules and Administration committee held hearings last week on S. 443, the DISCLOSE Act of 2021. First off, I want to thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the bill. In my view this is essential legislation that is fundamental to correcting the tsunami of dark money unleashed by the SCOTUS decision in Citizen's United v. FEC. In this bill, all we are asking and expecting is transparency about what actors are providing money to which political campaigns. I am concerned that each and every current Senator has a vested interest in this bill not actually being considered, much less passed. I am asking and expecting the Senator to move beyond co-sponsorship to actively promote consideration and passage of this bill.
(4) I would not know what to say about "If Republican." Seems a fool's errand.
THANK YOU Jessica!! Have missed the daily to-do's and the calm "can do" spirit it sends through me! continue to relax and enjoy and soak it all in.
Where in Maine are you? If you need any recommendations please reach out!
Cheryllewis@mac.com
207-838-2274
Thank you for all you do.
Cheryl Lewis
Portland Maine (currently in Cherryfield and deer Isle)
Jessica, you’re amazing!!
I want to share a couple of important events coming up next week: Thursday July 28th: Flip the Vote will host Lawrence Goldstone (author and Constitutional Historian) and Angela Lang (BLOC: Black Leaders Organizing for Communities) to talk about the historical context of today’s Supreme Court and about how BLOC is working at the local, state, and federal level to build power and GOTV despite Wisconsin's latest act of voter suppression: declaring ballot drop boxes illegal. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/08/1100696685/wisconsin-supreme-court-ballot-drop-boxes-disability-assistance
Register for the Flip the Vote talk here: https://www.flipthevote.org/events
Tuesday, July 26th, Flip the Vote is hosting an Open House Party. Consider attending this to learn how you can make the largest impact on the 2022 midterms, build more political power in critical districts in swing states and lay the groundwork for Democratic wins in 2024. Register for the Open House Party here: https://www.flipthevote.org/events
Only 15 weeks until the midterms. Please remember that while Biden won the popular vote by more than 7 million, he won the electoral college with just 43,809 votes distributed across three states: Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin. In these 3 states alone there are over 3 million likely Democratic non-voters who can help hold Congress in 2022 and ensure a successful and fair election in 2024. We must do all we can to support the grassroots organizations in critical swing states to register and activate their neighbors.
Worried that the top elections lawyer fighting for right to vote actually thinks electoral reform act bad:
https://headlineusa.com/marc-elias-bipartisan-compromise-on-voting-reform-worse-than-none-at-all/
Regarding the DISCLOSE act.
(1) Thanks for bringing this one into focus. I have been thinking about it a bit since last week when I learned from the League of Women Voters that their presiding officer Virginia Kase Solomon gave testimony at a Senate hearing last week before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (chaired by Amy Klobucher).
(2) It appears to me that all (and only) Democratic Senators have co-sponsored the Senate bill, and maybe that is true in the House as well (not as easy for me to tell at a glance). I noted that my Connecticut district 3 representative Rosa De Lauro, did not co-sponsor right away (Feb 25, 2021) but only did so fairly recently.
In any case, I suspect that there may be some posturing going on here in at least some cases. The Senators surely know that even if Manchin and Sinema actually vote in favor of the bill, there is no path to passage with all Republicans presumably opposing. So, call me jaded, but I suspect that this provides sufficient cover to make co-sponsorship a painless way to look good without putting the gravy train at risk.
(3) My draft template for Democratic senators includes the following:
I understand that the Senate Rules and Administration committee held hearings last week on S. 443, the DISCLOSE Act of 2021. First off, I want to thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the bill. In my view this is essential legislation that is fundamental to correcting the tsunami of dark money unleashed by the SCOTUS decision in Citizen's United v. FEC. In this bill, all we are asking and expecting is transparency about what actors are providing money to which political campaigns. I am concerned that each and every current Senator has a vested interest in this bill not actually being considered, much less passed. I am asking and expecting the Senator to move beyond co-sponsorship to actively promote consideration and passage of this bill.
(4) I would not know what to say about "If Republican." Seems a fool's errand.
Sources:
Virginia Kase Solomon testimony
https://www.lwv.org/blog/lwv-ceos-testimony-senate-rules-committee-disclose-act?utm_source=National%20Chapter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DISCLOSEAct
Full Hearing
https://www.rules.senate.gov/hearings/the-disclose-act
S. 443 DISCLOSE Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/443
H.R. 1334 DISCLOSE Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1334